Julia Novikova—Russia, coloratura soprano, *1983

Julia was born in St. Petersburg and began her musical training at the age of five. She received piano and flute lessons and sang in a choir. After her schooling, she began studying voice at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. She graduated with honors in 2006. As a member of the conservatory’s ensemble, she sang the roles of Marfa, Violetta and Susanna. In 2006 she performed the role of Flora in a production of Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw conducted by Valery Gergiev. That same year she was awarded third prize in the Wilhelm Stenhammar International Music Competition in Sweden. Julia has been an ensemble member at the Musiktheater Dortmund since the 2006/2007 season. There she has appeared as Gilda, one of her favorite roles.